| The Timneh grey is smaller, darker birds
with maroon tails and their black beaks have a pinkish cast.
They measure about 10 inches in length and weigh about 300
grams (about 10 ounces). They reach maturity at about age
two and can live fifty years.
Other than size and coloring, there's very little
difference between the two subspecies. Some people consider
the Timneh to be an inferior pet, but that isn't so at all.
As your grey becomes more settled in your home,
don't be surprised if you hear subtle little fluffs coming
from under the cage cover first thing in the morning. It's
as if your bird is saying, "I hear that you're up. I'm
up, too. Don't forget to uncover me and play with me!"
Other attention-getting behaviors include gently shaking toys,
sneezing or soft vocalizations.
Greys also love to hang upside down. Some greys
are more prone to this behavior than others. It's perfectly
normal, but a bit unsettling if you aren't ready for it! This
is one way that greys stretch, exercise and keep busy.
If you hear your bird making odd little grinding
noises as it is drifting off to sleep, don't be alarmed! Beak
grinding is a sign of a contented pet bird, and it's commonly
heard as a bird settles in for the night.
Greys may become overly attached to one person
in the household, especially if that same person is the one
who is primarily responsible for their care. Indications a
of possessive grey can include growling and other threatening
gestures made toward other family members, and pair bonding
behavior with the chosen family member. You can keep your
grey from becoming possessive by having all members of the
family spend time with your bird from the time you first bring
it home. Encourage different members of the family to feed
the bird and clean it's cage, and make sure all family members
play with the bird and socialize with it while it is out of
the cage.
Many parrots vocalize around sunrise and sunset,
which I believe hearkens back to flock behavior in the wild
when parrots call to each other to start and end their days.
You may notice that your pet grey calls to you when you are
out of the room. This may mean that it feels lonely or that
it needs some reassurance from you. Tell your grey that it
is fine and that it's being a good bird, and the bird should
settle down and begin playing or eating. If she continues
to call to you, however, you may want to check on it to ensure
that everything is all right in your bird's world.
Although African grey parrots are not renowned
for being the cuddliest of parrots, they can learn to enjoy
being petted and held. Among favorite spots to be petted are
the nape of it's neck. Also it's head, especially if you ruffle
it's feathers gently against the grain. It's eyelids and facial
areas, the tips of it's wings and wing folds are other places,
too. Also it's crop, under it's wings and at the base of it's
tail are places they love to have rubbed. They seem to enjoy
having their beak rubbed and gently pinched with your thumb
and forefinger. If you pet your grey in a place it doesn't
particularly want you to touch, it moves it's head or body
under your hand to show you the itchy spots. It also seems
to like for you to run your fingers gently down it's spine
from it's shoulders to the base of it's tail. They are very
loveable birds, and love the attention.
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